Cobus Loots, CEO of Pan African Resources, on delivering sector-leading returns for shareholders. Watch the video here.
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11 October 2023
Rulai and Sycurio join forces to automate the payment and customer experience
Sycurio™, the leading provider of seamless and secure multi-channel payment experiences for contact centers, today announced a global partnership with Rulai, a low-code, omnichannel, and end-to-end conversational AI platform. This partnership will provide Rulai customers with secure and intuitive payment solutions that make it possible to interact in voice and digital channels
Using Sycurio’s solutions, Rulai will be able to offer their customers convenient and flexible ways to make payments in the channel of their choice, including voice, SMS, email, messaging, and chat.
“We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Rulai. Customers will be able to simplify the payment experience at every touchpoint in every channel,” said Salimah Karimbhoy, VP of Partner Program and Ecosystems at Sycurio. “In addition to simplifying PCI DSS, this partnership will enable Rulai customers to put payment CX and security at the forefront of their conversational AI platform.”
Rulai customers can benefit from improved CX and payment security with Sycurio by:
Removing their contact center and remote agents from the scope of PCI DSS
Processing payments quickly with automatic validation of payment card data before transactions are processed
Keeping customer payment transaction records automatically updated
Protecting sensitive payment data, by keeping it out of call recordings and not storing in their contact center environment
Significantly reducing the cost and burden of maintaining PCI DSS compliance
Achieving measurable improvements in customer satisfaction scores and a reduction in average handling times
“This partnership represents the perfect marriage of omni-channel Conversational AI and e-commerce through the frictionless integration of Sycurio’s secure digital payment platform into Rulai’s advanced automated AI solutions across all channels.,” said Gary Barnett, CEO at Rulai. “Rulai customers will benefit from Sycurio’s intuitive digital payment interfaces available in the Rulai Console designer platform for easy access by any BOT.”
https://sycurio.com/knowledge/press/rulai-and-sycurio-join-forces-to-automate-the-payment-and-customer-experience
-------------
"Before joining Rulai, Gary was the CEO at Sycurio and led it to record recurring revenue growth, resulting in a highly successful exit in 2021"
https://rul.ai/about-rulai/
Lucrestuis
Thanks. After all what's gone on over the last two years between the two sides, it did seem like a tame ending.
Victor,
PCIP’s no reply brief was a no reply to Sycurio’s reply to PCIP’s filing about the arbitrator’s confidential claim construction ruling in the Sycurio/Eckoh arbititration. I guess PCIP hasn’t got anything to add to its initial filing, in which it filed the arbitration ruling under seal & asked the judge to make it public. PCIP has drawn the arbitration ruling, which it says supports its case (this is disputed by Sycurio), to the judge’s attention. I guess there’s not much more to say. Irrespective of whether the arbitration ruling is made public or not, the judge will have to decide whether to take it into account in his own forthcoming claim construction ruling. It would be a bonus if the arbitration ruling were made public.
Lucretuis
Next up is EP3603043
Any thoughts on the NOTICE of No Reply Brief by PCI Pal.
Do PCIP think that they now have enough, or is there another reason?
Thanks, NoCheddar
GOV.UK Digital Marketplace Suppliers
https://www.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/suppliers
No Sycurio
https://www.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk/g-cloud/suppliers?prefix=S&page=5&framework=g-cloud
Victor,
These are two excellent sites:
Find a Tender
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search
Contracts Finder
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Search
Looking through Contracts Finder there is a contract from 2017 for the DVLA's PCI DSS which was won by The Logic Group, who were subsequently acquired by Barclays. 1st time I've come across them. Contract value £3m.
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/69e3eb45-c456-418a-950d-35fc3acdaf25?origin=SearchResults&p=2
https://home.barclays/content/dam/home-barclays/documents/who-we-are/our-governance/s.172%20-%20The%20Logic%20Group%20Enterprises%20Limited-2.pdf
Victor,
I intend to go through the filing but I guess it is all about keeping up appearances, as you suggest. It also conveniently kicks this EPO case into touch (for up to a year would be my guess).
I think more new infornation will surface but its production is being held up by illness. However, I doubt the three inventors have been questioned yet; hopefully that will happen soon.
Lucretuis
Thanks. We have gone from the “unanswerable to the unrecognizable. Letters from Dentons and Dummett on the way?
Then Oral hearing
This was the Patent that Is closest to the UK one, so I suppose that they had to make an attempt.
The questioning of the three inventors is a "Reason for urgency" the information is needed prior to the close of the discovery period. Hopefully that will happen or has happened? As well as being questioned the three will be presented with Documents for review and oral examination.
Apart from the press release and licence agreements, I wonder if there is any new information that has surfaced that could bring an early end in the US?
Victor,
Have you seen that Mathys & Squire has submitted a 52-page reply to the “unanswerable” objections of Dentons for Eckoh?
If ECK win, they'll RNS it straightaway. Wouldn't hurt PCIPs 2024 forecasts much but would reduce the 2025 turnover by c.£1m.
Let's hope the Open Banking solution, AI Speech Recognition and keen pricing keep it with PCIP.
It looks a very juicy contract. Wonder if Sycurio tendered and Key IVR.
Key IVR state on their job openings that demand for their offerings is skyrocketing.
Afternoon, NoCheddar
Thanks, for that. It will be interesting to see who gets it after the Eckoh v DWP case.
Case Concluded (Settled)
https://caseboard.io/cases/481f1b4c-d8aa-4325-9c42-8b395c80c0f2
--------------------
DWP Market Engagement Event: Secure Card Payment Services Procurement
On Thursday 30 March (10:00-11:30)*, techUK is delighted to be hosting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for an online market engagement event on their upcoming Secure Card Payment Services Procurement.
The DWP is responsible for administering welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy in the UK, serving around 20 million claimants. The DWP operates the largest contact centre in the UK government, providing support to customers from around 135 locations and offering specialist services such as debt recovery, card payments, and assistance for customers with complex needs.
More here
https://www.techuk.org/what-we-deliver/events/dwp-market-engagement-event-secure-card-payment-services-procurement.html
---------------
Contract will show up here when released
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/?ntype=tender
Afternoon Victor,
According to this notice the decision is due today - see full notice text:
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB428330
Going back to the original post in this thread, I'm not sure how appealing in the UK helps them in the US. A US court will make a decision on their own and even if they did look at the UK case and it was being appealed, they'd see that a judge has made a decision and the rationale for that.
If they do decide to appeal, it'll be interesting to see what grounds they come up with and whether its material enough for it not to be immediately dismissed. ChatGPT tells me there are 4 grounds for appealing:
"Yes, when appealing a UK court decision, the party making the appeal is generally required to specify the grounds for their appeal at the time of filing the appeal. This means that the appellant (the party appealing) must outline the legal or factual errors they believe occurred in the lower court's decision that justify the appeal. These grounds for appeal are typically set out in a document known as the "Notice of Appeal."
The grounds for appeal can vary depending on the nature of the case and the specific legal issues involved. Common grounds for appeal may include:
1. Errors of law: Arguing that the lower court judge made a mistake in interpreting or applying the law.
2. Errors of fact: Claiming that the lower court made factual errors or failed to properly consider the evidence.
3. Procedural irregularities: Alleging that there were procedural errors in the lower court's handling of the case that may have affected the outcome.
4. New evidence: If applicable, presenting new evidence that was not available or known at the time of the original trial and could impact the case's outcome.
It's important for the appellant to clearly and precisely articulate the grounds for their appeal in the Notice of Appeal, as this document serves as the foundation for the appeal process. The appellant's legal representative (such as a solicitor or barrister) can assist in drafting and filing the Notice of Appeal.
Additionally, there are often strict time limits for filing appeals, so it's crucial to adhere to these deadlines and follow the proper procedures outlined by the relevant court rules. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the dismissal of the appeal."
Was Mrs Justice Bacon asking colleagues whether they had ever seen a case where the plaintiff’s evidence was so wafer thin and the plaintiff’s expert so ill-qualified to give evidence?
Victor,
Yes, it is. Aeriandi signed a licence agreement with Semafone on 31st October 2014, so the patent application came very soon afterwards.
Lucretuis
This is interesting
GB2535434 - Method and apparatus for implementing telephone payments
Status Terminated before grant
Filing Date 12 December 2014
Publication Date 24 August 2016
Not In Force Date 25 February 2017
Application Title Method and apparatus for implementing telephone payments
Applicant / Proprietor AERIANDI LIMITED
Prama House
267 Banbury House
Summertown
OXFORD
Oxfordshire
OX2 7HT
United Kingdom
[ADP Number 11353521001]
Documents
07 September 2016..Third party observations
17 October 2016..Letter - Third party observations
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Case/PublicationNumber/GB2535434
Kelyn Bacon, High Court Judge, Chancery Division
There is a perception that the role of a judge might be a rather lonely one. In fact, I have found the Chancery Division to be very collegiate and supportive. We all come from different backgrounds, so it is quite normal to ask colleagues for advice on issues that are unfamiliar, whether procedural or substantive – or even just to talk through a tricky issue in a case.
https://judicialappointments.gov.uk/kelyn-bacon-high-court-judge-chancery-division/
Victor,
Thanks very much. I had ‘t seen that stuff on licensing. All but the one with Automated Transaction Services were still in place when Livingbridge took over Sycurio in 2021, according to records at Companies House.
Good point! They can lodge an appeal, see how they do in America and if that goes south they can withdraw the appeal.
Carter/Ledyard - 2018:
In the U.S. approximately 4,057 patent infringement suits were filed in 2017. Roughly 90% of patent suits filed each year are abandoned or settled. Of the 300 or so remaining, two thirds never go to trial and are adjudicated on summary judgment, meaning that a Judge decides the outcome of the case before there is a trial.
The decision by the Court on the meaning of a claim term can end the litigation long before any jury trial. For example, the Court could decide on a broad definition that encompasses prior art references never considered by the Patent Examiner. Counsel for the alleged infringer then moves for summary judgment, and the Court proceeds to find the patent invalid based on its own claim construction. Alternatively, the Court could decide on a narrow claim construction which results in a claim so narrow that it no longer covers the infringing product.
Https://www.clm.com/a-litigation-review-before-the-patent-issues-can-improve-the-chance-of-success-during-patent-litigation/
The market seems to thinks they will go ahead with the appeal, so they can argue in the US that the case isn’t over. It’s all about trying to convince the judge that they have a case, which is why Sycurio are delaying everything as much as possible. They are hoping PCIP will spend all their reserves on the case and not on the business. In the long run, it’s unsustainable for Sycurio. In the short, it’s still going Sycurio’s way… however pyrrhic that may be. I definitely sense a buying opportunity here… when they go to appeal, but PCIP need to stick to their guns and we have to be patient.
Without wanting to be complacent, am increasingly confident that the UK part of this nonsense is over:
1) if you're Sycurio and are going to appeal, you would file immediately to do so rather than leave the opportunity for PCIP to market to current and prospective customers (and possibly Sycurio customers) about the outcome. We're now over half way through the period which Sycurio has to appeal
2) given PCIP were deemed not to infringe even if the patents weren't invalidated, there's limited value Sycurio appealing just to get the patents re-issued. The patents have limited value unless they're protecting ground for Sycurio to operate and keep competitors out...which evidently they dont if PCIP don't infringe. Therefore Sycurio would need to be confident of over-turning not just the invalidation but the infringement too...which seems like a massive hurdle to get over
Lucretuis
You have probably seen this
Licensing
To protect our intellectual property and to support the adoption of DTMF-masking solutions across the industry, the Secured by Semafone® Trustmark is available for use by our clients, our channel partners and the licensees of our patents. Currently, other than Semafone’s contracted channel partners and customers, only the following companies have been granted a license to use the Semafone patents:
• Aeriandi
• Automated Transaction Services (solely on behalf of the Shop Direct Group)
• Eckoh plc
• Ultra Communications
http://web.archive.org/web/20150717075309/https://www.semafone.com/secured-semafone/intellectual-property-licensing/
---------------------------------------
Go to, The Solution
https://www.slideshare.net/Compliance3/pci-dss-compliance-shop-direct-a-case-study
AUTOMATED TRANSACTION SERVICES LIMITED
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/07332520
John Briggs GREENWOOD
https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/3BC5wEUeXTBbag7yBLpZH9-Oar0/appointments
----------------------
Semafone launches trustmark for telephone payments
Thursday 3 October 2013 00:21 CET | News
email sharing buttonfacebook sharing buttonlinkedin sharing buttontwitter sharing button
UK payment security technology company Semafone has rolled out a new trustmark, Secured by Semafone, to be used by all customers and partners which implement Semafone’s patented payment method.
The trustmark will provide a guarantee of security for customers who are paying for goods or services over the phone. Two of Semafone’s partners have already adopted the Secured by Semafone trustmark. Ultra Communications, a specialist contact centre technology company, and Automated Transaction Services (ATS) will both be including the mark in their own offerings.
Semafone allows customers to enter card details directly through their telephone keypads, removing the risks of speaking the numbers out loud. The company’s patented payment method ensures that all the keys emit the same tone, making it impossible to identify the numbers by their sound. This means that only service agents using a Secured by Semafone payment method can continue to speak to their customers throughout the payment process.
Founded in 2009, Semafone offers a solution which takes telephone payments out of the scope of PCI DSS regulations. The company’s mission is to secure voice transactions and reduce credit card fraud in contact centres worldwide in order to support the global scale of the PCI mandate. The company already has a customer base than includes Europe, North America and Africa.
In recent news, Semafone has released Semafone V3, an updated version of its patented voice payment solution
https://thepaypers.com/news/semafone-launches-trustmark-for-telephone-payments
Victor,
Thanks. Yes, I saw that. All the pages relate to Semfone 1 rather than Semafone 2, I think. I also see that Tim Critchley’s name appears on the “Contact US” link. The bit you quote must have been written in (late?) 2008, I think.
Lucretuis
Yes, if you click on the "about us" link you get this
About Semafone – company overview
Semafone was founded in 2008 and is currently delivering a number of client solutions in an Early Support Programme phase in the UK ahead of a General Release Programme in quarter 2, 2009.
The business was founded by a number of contact centre professionals who created the Semafone solutions to tackle the compliance requirements experienced by UK outsourced contact centre providers.
The business is privately owned with its head office in West London. It has a strategic relationship with Careline Services Limited and provides services to several of their clients.
----------------------------------------
"a number of contact centre professionals who created the Semafone solutions"
"It has a strategic relationship with Careline Services Limited and provides services to several of their clients"
Victor,
No, I had not seen that before. Is that the earlist capture of that information that you can find?